ID Problems

and insights

Archives for: 2007

23/11/07

Goose ID confirmation

We don't see many Geese here and when we do they are usually Greylag however this individual didn't look at all familiar. As a juvenile bird not what I had expected a young Greylag to look like so I think this is most likely a White-fronted - If anybody is into Geese and can confirm the ID please let me know. Once we obtain confirmation this will be the second record for Bahrain the last was back in 1997.

The ID HAS NOW BEEN CONFIRMED

- this observation is now officially the 2nd record for White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons in Bahrain.
Adrian has now also added his pictures to his page (out and about) O&B-with-AJ http://www.hawar-islands.com/blog/aj_stub.php
I would like to thank everybody who looked and emailed me confirmation - not a single dissenting voice - except that is on bird forum where Adrian originally posted his images see for that thread http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=1061314#post1061314
For comparative purposes I have added below a flight picture of 2 of the 3 geese seen at Badaan the week before as photographed by Juhani Kyyrö have also a careful look at that picture.

Greylag Geese seen departing Badaan the week before
Photograph by Juhani Kyyrö

18/11/07

Lark ID solved

I have been sent an annoted image of this bird with a list of features indicating that it is most probably no more than a Crested Lark, they are a very common species here, that evidence seems to prove this beyond a doubt. This just goes to show how bad light and distance can screw up ones ID skills even on birds that one is familiar with. Other suggestions where Woodlark, Skylark and Lesser Short-toed Lark, I thought myself at one time even Small Skylark - Alauda gulgula but that was wrong. Thanks everyone who has had a look.

For comparision - below are three pictures taken within the last week of our Crested Larks each at a different location and in different light.

12/05/07

Warbler ID

This warbler has been the subject of much debate - on BirdForum (see here) the vote is heavily in favour of Upcher's however on the networks Olivaceous is in the lead. Personally I wouldn't vote for Eastern Olivaceous over an Upcher's It just doesn't look right somehow for either and we haven't eliminated other species altogether like a Booted Warbler - especially since AJ said it was small and flicked its tail. CLICK HERE for Booted
I have toned down the high sun glare on the original photos to give a softer more grey brown overall tone here.

31/03/07

Is this a Hybrid

Adrian Drummond-Hill photographed these Bulbuls in Eastern Provice SA recently - The one on the left is our usual White-cheeked Pycnonotus leucogenys however the one on the right appears to be a Hybrid a cross with either a Red-vented or other species of escaped Bulbul any thoughts or comments welcome

25/03/07

Wheatear

Adrian photographed this Wheatear on Thursday March 22nd at Badaan Farm - while AJ had it posing in front of him, I was also observing the same bird but from another location 100m away but from the right side and rear. A second Wheatear was on the ground close by, both were females. The one on the ground appeared to be Northern but this one remained unidentifiable from where I was however, it did show some characteristics of a pale throated Black-eared Ssp melanoleuca. The bird was very obliging staying on its little rock perch for some considerable time however it only ever presented both of us a single view, it did not turn around unfortunately, it flew while I was changing location to get better views so I missed seeing it in flight. Its stance did not indicate Isabelline O isabellina examples of which where also numerous around the farm and from the back it did not look like a Northern O oenanthe. Since AJ had it in his sights I stayed well back - I could wait to see AJ's photos before attempting any ID.
After he posted these images on Bird forum a lengthy discussion has developed over whether it is a female Isabelline O isabellina or Northern O oenanthe - We would be interested to hear other opinions as to species ID, personally I am still undecided but votes in mail favour an Isabelline most likely a male

26/02/07

and an entire plant
Howard,
I can do this - its Rumex vesicarius - a member of the dock family. It is quite widespread and known from Bahrain. The leaves make a pleasant rather sour salad snack.
Cheers Mike Jennings

and this caterpillar - most probably a large moth - first the eating end

the rear end
Could be a 'humming bird' type - many of the hawk moths hover at flowers to feed - amongst the species which sometimes migrate to the UK, your specimen somewhat resembles the caterpillar of the spurge hawk moth, scientific name: Hyles (= Celerio) euphorbiae, and related species belonging to the same genus, Hyles (= Celerio).
Dr D A Kendall BSc PhD
Kendall Bioresearch Services
Email: kendalluk@aol.com
Web: http://www.kendall-bioresearch.co.uk/

05/02/07

Desert Lark -

Adrian and I were out birding here in Bahrain a few weeks ago with two visiting birders in tow on the Jebel Dakhan. Adrian photographed a Desert Lark, that I had pointed out. Yesterday he put the picture up on his photo pages and since I have received several emails to tell me that my ID is wrong and in fact the bird shown is a female Black Lark Melanocorypha yeltoniensis. The first two pictures are the two images as taken by Adrian - below are two further Pictures I took today of a Desert Lark on the Jebel. I am sticking to my original opinion Desert Lark - Comments please!

Desert Lark Ammonanes desert according to Nightingale and Hill (1993) Birds of Bahrain, the endemic A d insularis breeds Bahrain. Today I returned to the Jebel Dakhan in search of the dark lark but could only find our normal looking Desert Larks managing to get these two shots

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